For the seventh time this season, the CFL named Jon Cornish the top Canadian of the week on Tuesday.

Ho hum. Business as usual. Nothing to see here, right?

“Honestly, this is the one I’ve been most proud of this entire season,” the Calgary Stampeders running back said at the conclusion of a snowy practice at McMahon Stadium.

The pride comes from silencing his critics in a 34-32 victory Saturday over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. In wicked winter conditions, Cornish caught seven passes for a career-high 108 yards and a touchdown.

He also accumulated 27 rushing yards and a TD on ground.

“I set goals at the beginning of the season,” Cornish said. “One of the goals I wanted to have was a 100-yard receiving game. In bad conditions, I went out and had that. I caught every ball that was thrown to me.”

All season long, CFL onlookers have compared Cornish to the versatile Andrew Harris on the West Coast. The knock on Cornish? He’s a single threat where as Harris can kill on the ground or through the air.

That theory landed in the trash on Saturday with a thud.

“For me, it’s a statement,” Cornish said. “A lot of people were saying I was one-dimensional. You know, ‘he gets all his yards on the rush.’

“It all depends on how I’m used. And this game, I was used in the pass game, and had results. So for me, it’s a statement, and I’m very happy.”

Basking in his happiness, Cornish took time to acknowledge the folks who made it happen.

“I think, Kevin Glenn really used me and stuff,” he said. “So I have to thank him. And I have to thank Dave Dickenson for the excellent play calling.

“They both put me in a great position to succeed.”

HALF-SPEED PRACTICE HURTS

A frozen John Hufnagel declined to mince words Tuesday when the subject turned to this early blast of winter in the Alberta foothills.

In Hufnagel’s mind, practising in blizzard-like conditions ranks as a definite disadvantage in preparing for Friday’s clash with the defending Grey Cup champion B.C. Lions.

“When you have to practise slow, that’s not good,” the Calgary Stampeders head coach and GM said after a half-speed workout designed, in part, to prevent injuries. “The cold weather is one thing, but not having traction and practising slow is not good.”

In years past, slotback Nik Lewis looked simply disgusted during practice sessions in conditions that resemble the North Pole.

At the wise old age of 30, the all-star has a new outlook on working in the chill.

“I still hate it,” said the Mineral Wells, Texas, product. “It’s cold. It’s miserable. But you know, for the first time in my career today, my mindset was. ‘I still want to find something I can get better in — some way to better prepare myself for this game. Back in 2010 when it was really cold, it was like, ‘let’s just t get through this and go win the game.’

“But I’m still trying to prepare myself mentally and physically to be better.”

TATE GETS THE REPS

As expected, quarterback Drew Tate took the majority of reps with the offence Tuesday in preparation for his first start since July 7.

With a healthy Tate and Kevin Glenn in the lineup, the B.C. Lions will have to study up for both eventualities.

At least that’s the hope in the Calgary camp.

“It’s only going to make us better as a team, and it’s going to make it harder for the opposition to prepare,” said Tate, who is back after missing the majority of the season with a shoulder injury. “They’re going to have to spend time preparing. They can’t spend as much time preparing for one thing. Now they’ve got to split it up.

“So for the guys, there’s a lot of uncertainty prepping for us, because there’s no telling what we’re going to throw out there and do.”

SHORT YARDAGE

The Calgary Hitmen have changed their game originally scheduled for Nov. 11 against Kootenay to Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. The move means Calgary sports fans can direct their attention to the West Division semifinal at McMahon against Saskatchewan or Edmonton . . . On Friday, the Stamps will mark fan appreciation day. Randomly-selected fans will get the opportunity to go on to the field after the game, meet with a selected Stampeder player and get a game jersey signed. Players will also toss signed souvenir footballs into the crowd during pre-game introductions . . . DL Luis Vasquez (knee) is expected to sit out Friday’s game against B.C. DL Demonte Bolden was excused from practice Tuesday to attend to a personal matter.

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